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At this time of year, I am always overwhelmed by the changes that will soon take place ~ children and teachers are graduating and moving on. This is a time of anticipation, excitement and, yes, a few ‘end of year wobbles.’ What keeps me sane and grounded is my belief in the Montessori Method and Philosophy. The environment is such a stabilizing factor – from teacher to teacher, from year to year, and from region to region ( if your child is moving to another town, state or country ~ the environment, philosophy and approach remains familiar). We have had children move to Pullman from another continent and still feel comfortable in our classes ~ “Ah yes, I recognize the pink tower.” The environment is like an important third teacher in the classroom.

The Montessori philosophy is also really big on preparation. We anticipate change, and help our children prepare and adapt to change. This is part of our preparing children for real life – change happens.

We recently celebrated Mom’s Day at school, and what an invitation to work this was for the children! Gifts to make and wrap, cards to draw and color, name tags to write, songs to learn, decorations to make for the windows and walls of the room, centerpieces of flowers to arrange, shortbread to bake, cream to whip and strawberries to slice, tables and chairs to carry and move, tables to set, and finally, lots of clean up. Our elementary aged students provided a lot of community service to the school by working as servers at the teas for the younger students and their Moms.

Was it worth it? Absolutely! One Mom told me that her child counted down the days until the tea. “Mom, only two days to go.” “Mom, only one more day!” He told his Mom that he wanted to dress up, including wearing his church shoes and tie, and asked Mom to dress up, too. The children were all buzzing with excitement – and the Moms were, too!

The children were provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their grace and courtesy – remembering to say please and thank you, to pass the small bowls and plates of cookies, whipped cream and strawberries around the table, to use the tongs and small spoons for serving, to drink from china or glass tea cups. to take turns conversing . . .

One of our school’s values is ‘community.’ This was a true community effort, with all of the children, teachers and classes pitching in to help. And when I saw Moms and children lingering in the afternoon sun, sitting on benches outside of the school and conversing, I realized that the tea helps build community by providing parents an opportunity to meet and converse. The tea also builds our communal memory of shared events.

The children in the classes for 3 – 6 year olds even wrote two community poems. Each child contributed a line to the poem, based on ‘What Moms can do.” I love the way the children have captured the very essence of what it means to be a Mom ~ all of the love, caring, fun, learning, strength, responsibility, and yes, even vulnerability. For sure the poems show that the children are watching and appreciating what we do!